Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Karen will be doing the Birmingham Half Marathon on the 23rd October 2011. She will be raising money for the British Lung Foundation. Karen said "the training has been hard and I haven't done half as much as I should have as fitting it in with my work has been quite difficult but I will do my best to finish". If you would like to sponsor her see http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KarenHamilton or look out for her on the route!

She is one of Birmingham's most experienced and
effective wardens and has powers to prosecute for dog
fouling and litter dropping. She's also got a reputation for
helping and will be working with residents on
neighbourhood clean-ups and other local issues - as well
as working closely with the local cleaning team You can
contact her on deborah_parsons@birmingham.gov.uk or
try to leave a message on 303 9812. Or simply call or
email your local councillors, councillors@perrybarr.com

* Richard Weaver, park ranger. Richard is based in
Perry Hall Park and will be working with the friends group
there. But his brief also includes developing activity in
our other parks, especially Perry Park and Kingdsown
Park.
Both posts are funded from the community chest which
means Deborah and Richard are totally committed to
Perry Barr ward - and will be accountable to the local
community at community meetings.

Councillor Ray Hassall, Perry Barr ward committee chair,
said: "I'm delighted to welcome these two officers and
hope local people will get to know them and help them
make our area a better place to live.

"Both will be working closely with the local police on
issues such as anti-social behaviour and dog problems."

Monday, October 03, 2011

COLLECTING VIEWS
Local health officials are proposing to request planning permission for a new super-surgery
for GP services at 481 Walsall Road (on the corner of Perry Park Crescent).
The development would include 58 assisted living dwellings for the elderly.
It will also mean three of our local GP practices move on to the one site:

Tower Hill Medical Centre

Great Barr Surgery, Thornbridge Avenue

High Trees Surgery, Walsall Road.

We've been asking local residents what they think about this and replies have been coming back with a whole range of views.

Here's some pros and cons:

Getting there on foot: harder for many, easier for some;

Getting there by car: many people will have to u-turn at Tower Hill and at Rocky
Lane;

Car parking: may be easier than at Tower Hill, depending on spaces ;

Getting there by bus: about the same as Tower Hill and Hightree. The 51 and 952 stop close by.

Medical services: we're told that some out-patient clinics and other services from hospital may
move there - so this may be easier for some ;

Assisted living homes: this must be a plus for our community;

Improved premises. Great Barr and High Trees are said to need 'major renovation'.

We'll be questioning the developers aat the next Perry Barr ward committee
on Thursday October 13th. It's at 7pm at Perry Hall Methodist Church, Rocky Lane and all are
welcome to come and participate. We'll be looking in detail at traffic implications and what might be done about them.

Councillor Ray Hassall, chair of the ward committee, said: "This will be a massive change in local GP services, which could deliver big improvements, and until recently only a handful of residents had been consulted. There are many issues to consider, especially making traffic access safe.

"There are also a number of people, especially the elderly and disabled, who are concerned they may now find it a struggle to get to their doctor's. We want to know what will be done to help them."